Happy new year!
I’m currently on my 2nd FLR Visa which expires on 24th March 2021. In theory the next Visa I’m going to apply for is the settlement visa SET(M), however, I’m currently staying in KSA due to my British husband’s work (until end of 2021).
I could fly back to the uk before my visa expires (if the COVID situation allows!) and make the application, but as the premium service is no longer available, i could only use the normal service which could take 6 months. Unfortunately it has become unrealistic for me (with a newborn baby) to live in the uk without my husband in the current lockdown situation

We do intend to go back to the uk after his contract, I guess my questions are:
1. Could I apply for SET(M) from outside the UK? If so, how? As the online form is only for applications made in the uk.
2. If I cannot fly back to the UK within 28 days before my visa expires due to COVID, do I need to let the immigration office know? If so, how?
3. If I failed to renew my visa, does it mean that before we return to the UK, I will have to apply for a FLR from KSA and start the 5-year route all over again?
4. If I failed to renew my visa, should I be applying for a tourist visa to see family in the UK? And only apply for FLR from KSA once we decide to move back permanently (when the job finishes)?
So many uncertainties at the moment, thank you so much in advance!